Joba's Injury a Big Loss for the Team and Media

June 11, 2011

It was hardly surprising to hear Yankees manager Joe Girardi say Friday that reliever Joba Chamberlain will have Tommy John surgery next week to repair the torn medial collateral ligament in his right elbow. (The announcement was a formality once the nature of Chamberlain's injury was revealed.) The procedure's rehabilitation could take as long as a year for Chamberlain to complete, depriving the Yankees of an important pitcher and the people who cover the team of a colorful character.

Because of the injuries to Chamberlain and Soriano, the back of the Yankees' bullpen, once regarded as the fulcrum of the team's pitching staff, is in some disarray. Where once there were Chamberlain, Soriano (who led the American League in saves last year) and Mariano Rivera, now there are Luis Ayala, David Robertson and Rivera.

But Chamberlain was something more than a strong right arm in the 'pen. He was a quotable player in what can be a drab, corporate Yankees clubhouse. (Derek Jeter, we're looking at you.) He was the sort of athlete who said interesting, humorous things, who gave sportswriters a reason to be in the locker room.

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